How long have you been a vegetarian?I have been a vegetarian since January 16ish, 2000. I blogged about some of my reasons on my other (infrequently updated) blog, Envirowonk. Here.

That was the beginning of my second semester of graduate school. I had decided to go veg during my first semester; however, I was planning a trip to Beijing during my winter break. I wanted to treat myself to some yummy meat-based Chinese cooking while there, so I postponed my switch to vegetarianism until after I returned.

I do still eat eggs and dairy products. I do not eat fish (unlike some so-called "vegetarians"), but I have the "When I am in Japan I Allow Myself to Eat Sashimi/Sushi" Rule. It's only fair. Sashimi in Japan is fucking fantastic.

the Persian: There's a difference between being "vegan" and "vegetarian." Vegans don't eat any animal products whatsoever (some of them won't eat honey or refined sugar). I am ovo-lacto vegetarian, so I eat eggs and dairy. I don't really like eggs all that much, though.